John Hampton - is he back?

[Corso]

A few years ago, the great John Hampton was a tremendous weapon. He was a smart guy who was able to find seams in the defense and present an open target for the passing game. But he also was a very underrated blocker, including when he went in motion. Seems to me that we have the makings of John Hampton - revisited. Ryan Kennedy can get open, has the best hands on the team (according to coaches) and runs well. Vincent Chase shows indications that he will be an overpowering blocker, almost like a sixth lineman, and Andrew McKinney - who supposedly up to 260 or 265 now - looks like he might be a combination of the two.

Of course, this all depends on the health of Kennedy's knee by August and on how often we get the ball to the tight ends. They can block - they have to block - but they have to be shown as viable passing targets, too.

[Pony4Life]

Wouldn't it be nice to have another Hampton-like weapon?
He was one of my all-time favorites.

[Stallion]

Hampton and Kennedy are nothing alike-two entirely different styles.

[Pony4Life]

I think the comparison that all three can make up the elements of another Hampton. And you're right, they're different styles, but they both run pretty well and they both have great hands -- that much of the comparison is accurate.

[Stallion]

Kennedy runs well for a linemen but had trouble getting open downfield last year. Hampton was much better route runner of the David Thomas, the Tulsa TE whose name escapes me or Jay Novacek mold. When Kennedy can get open anywhere close to those guys we might have something big-but I really don't think he ever really will-and I don't really even think that's his role.

[Pony4Life]

I guess we'll just agree to disagree. It's hard to judge, without having them side by side, but I actually think Kennedy is faster than Hampton was. I do agree with you in one sense -- I think Hamp was the absolute master of sitting down in a seam in the defense -- but we've seen enough to know that Kennedy (underused though he is) can motor for a big man. I think he's actually a lot like David Thomas. Garrett Mills (the Tulsa guy) and Novacek were more fluid than either -- they were basically oversized WRs.

[Stallion]

he is nothing like David Thomas and never will be. He's a Lineman playing TE. David Thomas is a Tall FB/Slot playing TE. Thomas can get open all day long-Kennedy hasn't proved that he can-or whats more that Bennett even has that role for him.

[Dark Horse]

Kennedy got open a lot last year and the year before -- it was just rare that the ball was thrown in his direction.

[Sideline]

For whatever its worth, I've been a fan of the site over the years but never felt compelled to post until my own name made it a few years after I finished playing. Nonetheless, Ryan and I played in different times so our comparisons should utilize relativity.

I was too slow for my own good, but I also remember predicting the future of the tight end position would mold into the current David Thomas, Garrett Mills, Vernon Davis type athletes. Five years ago these guys were playing defensive end or linebacker, and tight end has become the chic position comparable to a small forward who can do alot of things, the least of which is a to block comparably built defenders. Successful offenses are building around guys who can get open and move in open space, and it's alot easier with a few receiving threats, a mobile quarterback, and a solid running game. At least it sounds easy enough.

Physically Ryan is a throwback to the tight end. At his size, his value should lie as an inline blocking type able to figure somewhat into a passing game. With the move towards very athletic and mid-sized defensive end, linebacker-type athletes that can utilize natural ability to get open and move in space, Ryan is in position to groom himself as close to that this spring and summer.

Regardless, I would love to see the offense at least utilize a 6'5" 260 lb beast that can run and has great hands. I was just a slow wide receiver that would have played fullback had I not threatened to make the tailback go around my lumbering lead block every play. And remember, I caught alot of balls in catch-up mode as we tried to get back in games late. I played for an offensive coordinator who knew we would be blitzed often with holes in the offensive line and a failure to produce a third receiving option at times, so my job consisted of recognizing that and giving the quarterback a fighting chance.

I haven't been exposed to McKinney as much as some, so I couldn't argue one way or another about his future, but I do like his attitude. It seemed like every kickoff coverage he went down on this year he was always the last on the field talking some sort of smack to an opposing player, or along the sidelines threatening some fan of the opposing team. At least he has some pride in his school and himself.

As offenses change slightly, I would love to see SMU utilize, recruit, whatever someone with decent speed but really understands the intermediate attack and middle of the field. Ideally, and at alot of schools across the country, Bobby Chase would be asked to bulk up and play that type of position, but its probably a little late for that move now. I only say him because its been a while since the last game and I haven't seen a practice in a while.

[Sasser Rules]

Welcome to PonyFans.com, John!

.... I was too slow for my own good, but I also remember predicting the future of the tight end position would mold into the current David Thomas, Garrett Mills, Vernon Davis type athletes. Five years ago these guys were playing defensive end or linebacker, and tight end has become the chic position comparable to a small forward who can do alot of things, the least of which is a to block comparably built defenders. Successful offenses are building around guys who can get open and move in open space, and it's alot easier with a few receiving threats, a mobile quarterback, and a solid running game. At least it sounds easy enough....

Oh, don't say you were slow (the longer you've been gone, the faster you were -- and you ran like Carl Lewis next to the rest of us.) And Vernon Davis is the best athlete I've ever seen at that position.

.... Physically Ryan is a throwback to the tight end. At his size, his value should lie as an inline blocking type able to figure somewhat into a passing game. With the move towards very athletic and mid-sized defensive end, linebacker-type athletes that can utilize natural ability to get open and move in space, Ryan is in position to groom himself as close to that this spring and summer....

Does that mean Kennedy's knee is healthy already? Is he going to take part in spring drills?

Yes, he's a house who can block like an extra down lineman, but my lasting images of him are when he ran over the LaTech DB a couple of years ago (BS offensive facemask penalty notwithstanding) and the end of the last game in 2005, when he got down the sideline with tightrope agility normally seen in a guy half his size. I'd say he could be a real hybrid of the two, and therefore a very dangerous target if we used him more.

.... Regardless, I would love to see the offense at least utilize a 6'5" 260 lb beast that can run and has great hands. I was just a slow wide receiver that would have played fullback had I not threatened to make the tailback go around my lumbering lead block every play. And remember, I caught alot of balls in catch-up mode as we tried to get back in games late. I played for an offensive coordinator who knew we would be blitzed often with holes in the offensive line and a failure to produce a third receiving option at times, so my job consisted of recognizing that and giving the quarterback a fighting chance....

Interesting -- I'd forgotten about the defensive adjustments teams make when they're trying to run out the clock while protecting a big lead, not giving up the home-run deep ball.

.... I haven't been exposed to McKinney as much as some, so I couldn't argue one way or another about his future, but I do like his attitude. It seemed like every kickoff coverage he went down on this year he was always the last on the field talking some sort of smack to an opposing player, or along the sidelines threatening some fan of the opposing team. At least he has some pride in his school and himself....

I love McKinney's attitude, too. The thing I like most about him is that he was 230 when he was recruited, dropped 20 or so pounds last year and then bulked up a lot this year -- this is a guy who will do whatever it takes for his team. He is a proud Mustang, it seems. Love him on special teams, too -- was it the East Carolina game when he nearly killed a guy on special teams?

.... As offenses change slightly, I would love to see SMU utilize, recruit, whatever someone with decent speed but really understands the intermediate attack and middle of the field. Ideally, and at alot of schools across the country, Bobby Chase would be asked to bulk up and play that type of position, but its probably a little late for that move now. I only say him because its been a while since the last game and I haven't seen a practice in a while.

So are you going to write some expert analysis from spring drills for us?

[expony18]

no te we have or had compare to the last 3 te's that UT has had... who are all either in the nfl or about to be (thomas)!!

[Sasser Rules]

And I don't think we have a quarterback as good as the USC guys in (Carson Palmer) or about to be in (Matt Leinart), either.

Who cares?

Personally, I'm a fan of our current TEs, and those who came before them.

[expony18]

And I don't think we have a quarterback as good as the USC guys in (Carson Palmer) or about to be in (Matt Leinart), either.

Who cares?

Personally, I'm a fan of our current TEs, and those who came before them.

by your previous post i would have assumed that you did care, but aparently my assumption was incorrect...

[ponydawg]

have to agree, why even state that.......


Thats like me telling my wife that super model Giselle Bunchen has a better body than she does.

[expony18]

have to agree, why even state that.......


Thats like me telling my wife that super model Giselle Bunchen has a better body than she does.

the reason i said it is because this board is talking about the comparison to hampton and some how thomas and other guys got thrown into the mix